David McQuain

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our beloved Dave McQuain, who passed away on June 2, 2023, at 88. Dave was born to Thomas and Opal McQuain in Glenville, WV, on May 7, 1935; he was the youngest of four children. At the age of seven, his family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he eventually graduated from Roosevelt High School. He then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, graduating with a BA in Chemistry. His first career was as a research chemist in Dayton, Ohio, with National Cash Register (“NCR”), where he was awarded several patents for his work with liquid crystal thermography (think “mood rings” and glasses that change color in sunlight) and heat-sensitive printer paper (think cash register receipts). 

While at NCR, he met his future wife of 65 years, Sharon Ulrey McQuain, and raised a family of three sons and a daughter. He started multiple businesses, including a Tennis Racket & Shoe store, a Thermographic Breast Cancer Detection Company, and a Futures Commodity Trading Firm. Dave and Sharon eventually retired in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he enjoyed playing golf and celebrating his children’s and grandchildren’s lives and accomplishments. 

If you were to ask his family or friends to describe him with a one or two-word description, it would be “optimistic encourager” or “playful competitor.” He loved games, particularly card games. He was a fantastic Euchre player and astonishingly good at winning with an inferior hand. He enjoyed poker for similar reasons. 

Dave loved to play golf, chess, bridge, tennis, and basketball, and he managed to remain competitive at golf until well into his 80s. He was also an avid University of Dayton basketball and Ohio State football fan. One of Dave’s most enjoyable and lifelong goals (which he could discuss at length) was figuring out the secret to the Lottery. He read every book on that subject, but we have yet to find solid evidence that he solved that mystery. 

Dave was preceded in death by his wife Sharon (by just 45 days), his older sister Jesabel, and his older brother Thomas. He is survived by his older sister Miriam, and his children and their families: Dr. Mark & Dee McQuain of Johnson City, TN, Dr. Kent & Lauren McQuain of Williamsburg, VA, Barry McQuain of Walnut Creek, CA, and Tim & Karen (McQuain) Ketzner of Gallatin, TN; Grandchildren: Byron (& Alison) McQuain, Will (& Kylie) McQuain, Taylor (& Katherine) McQuain, Carley McQuain, Morgan McQuain, Bailey McQuain, Regan McQuain, Kyle McQuain, Michael Ketzner, Ryan Ketzner, Austin Ketzner, and Savannah Ketzner. Great Grandchildren include Stewart McQuain, Miller McQuain, Dean McQuain, Alastair McQuain, and Valerie McQuain. 

Dave also leaves behind nephews Jason Baird, Jeremy Baird, Bruce Firlus, Kevin Ford, Dr. John Linscott, and Dr. Joe Linscott; and nieces Terri Jensen, Kelly Santucci, Gloria Althenhaus, Jane Adams, and Mary Avery. 

A small memorial service will be held at his Uncle Perry’s Farm near Glenville, WV, in June 2023, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Dave’s life with laughter, music, and storytelling.